Club Obi Wan

Just to really break it in. It is a bit of a helmet right now. I trimmed the brim and while I think it needs it a bit more, I'll wait as advised. I trimmed my vintage one too much now that I know what a real indy hat is like. It's funny, I shaped my hat all day using the steam method (how anyone else can shape it without is beyond me, it's a very stiff hat. The more I shaped and played with it, the better it looked.

George

I'm going to try to get some pics up today of my hat and that cool jacket i found. Oh, and my whip if I go pick it up.

Excellent. I use a spray bottle and water to shape Akubras, I have no idea how people dry bash these things, they just spring back in to shape.

Looking forward to pics.

I can just tell not to baby your akubra amd it will be soft soon! If I were you I won't play with it's shape any longer, cause that WILL make it tapered!

The real Henry wrote:If I were you I won't play with it's shape any longer, cause that WILL make it tapered!

Akubras are already tapered when they arrive.

It's impossible to avoid taper in the Akubra. As VP said, it is already not the best block. It's not tapered as much as it just starts to round out too soon. This creates more of a dome than a stovepipe.

It is also difficult to dry bash, but I learned the steam lesson a few hats ago, and now use cold water. I also load some of the more difficult spots with Scout Felt Stiffener, hold in place and let dry.

prairiejones wrote:It's impossible to avoid taper in the Akubra. As VP said, it is already not the best block. It's not tapered as much as it just starts to round out too soon. This creates more of a dome than a stovepipe.

don't you think this should be told to everybody who wants to buy an indy hat? The stright sides are important for a raiders look!

Not everyone is after the 'Cairo' look.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Not everyone is after the 'Cairo' look.

Regards! Michaelson

Ehm i just made a correction

THERE you go. Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Not everyone is after the 'Cairo' look.

Regards! Michaelson

Yup. I would totally go for an Akubra if I wanted a Temple of Doom or Last Crusade look, plus, it would give me the chance to finally shape a hat myself.

The main 'thrust' of the creation of the Fed line was to have a baseline hat for a fan to create the LC hat style, so it's trying to be all things to all people, and it's not working as the perfect Raiders hat.....close, but not perfect.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:The main 'thrust' of the creation of the Fed line was to have a baseline hat for a fan to create the LC hat style, so it's trying to be all things to all people, and it's not working as the perfect Raiders hat.....close, but not perfect.

Regards! Michaelson

This is a thing that should be said on indygear when "you" speak about the akubra hats.

Honestly, the Akubra is still a good hat, by all accounts I've read. Never had the pleasure of having one yet, but I plan to. I'd like to get one of their grey ones, and style it in a non Indy sort of way, something to go with a good suit! You could also get a brown one and do the same thing. I wonder if it's possible to dye it yellow, and make a Dick Tracey fed!

Strider wrote:I wonder if it's possible to dye it yellow, and make a Dick Tracey fed!

that woult be cool!!! You will only need a tommy gun then

don't you think this should be told to everybody who wants to buy an indy hat? The stright sides are important for a raiders look!

I just stated it here. Everything you need to know about these hats is in this forum. I knew that the Akubra wasn't perfect when I first got it, but I wanted an inexpensive, base line Indy hat to start with.

erri_wan wrote: This is a thing that should be said on indygear when "you" speak about the akubra hats.

It has been, many, MANY times. Regards! Michaelson

Back on topic, I love it when I get the opportunity to wear my hat all day. Especially if I'm outside and can do some quality sweating in it. I know that the hat is shaping to my head more, and getting a little more character.

[quote="Michaelson"]The main 'thrust' of the creation of the Fed line was to have a baseline hat for a fan to create the LC hat style, so it's trying to be all things to all people, and it's not working as the perfect Raiders hat.....close, but not perfect.

Regards! Michaelson[/quote]
This is interesting ...
So the Akubras make a good LC hat - how do they compare with the AB LC bash?
(Note: I own an AB and I think its marvelous - just curious on comments from people who own Akubra or AB (or both) in the LC style)

P.S. I am looking forward to seeing some Akubras at the QM.
In fact, I think we should have a hands-on tutorial session on bashing for anyone who's interested.
We'd need an unbashed hat - which means we'd have to order one quick. Just an idea.
[Addition: I don't mind ordering one - there are a lot of talented bashers here and I'd love to own a hat that received a COW group bashing]

Spooky wrote:I think we should have a hands-on tutorial session on bashing for anyone who's interested.
We'd need an unbashed hat - which means we'd have to order one quick. Just an idea.

I'd totally be down for that.

Of the 2 versions of the Federation which colours are preferred?

Thats a really good shot Tone. Your hat looks great!

The Akubra Standard Federation is a great hat. It was the first "Indy" fedora I owned (apart from the countless vintage fedoras already in my collection). I've seen some folks get fantastic Raiders results from their Akubras. It's a hat that's meant to be worn and not babied. It breaks in nicely and will conform to your head if you wear it enough. True, it doesn't have the optimal Raiders block, and often times a slight brim trim will do it good, but it's a great hat to start or stick with. Even Fedora hopes to put a link to HatsDirect for those wanting a quality rabbit Indy hat since he plans to stick with pure beaver for the AdventureBilt lines.

bink

Sit on it (AKA, the Indiana Dan Method), that will soften it up REAL quick!

Indiana George, wear it all day and enjoy. It will take more than a day to soften up that hardhat!
My Fed Deluxe is coming up on a year and it is finally soft.

Don't mean to get off topic but what is that jacket you are wearing Indiana Tone? Nice. I have been searching for one just like that.

Now that is durable. Illinois

did you trim your brim Indiana_Tone, it looks perfect on you. I've trimmed mine down to 2 1/2 inches on the sides and I still think it looks wide (for me anyways).

George

Great pics, Tone.

Pose - Scrunch - 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 ...
And Repeat ...

Thanks for the pics Tone, I'm guessing that is a Deluxe which only comes in Loden (Whatever that means!).

For others who have the Standard Federation everyone goes for the Mid brown, right?

Indiana George wrote:I've trimmed mine down to 2 1/2 inches on the sides and I still think it looks wide (for me anyways).

George

Unless you have a really narrow head, I would go easy on the trimming. It is easy to take too much off.

Tone

Every time I see pictures of you I cant help thinking how much like Indy you look. You are just one of those people like Ford - it doesnt really matter how accurate your gear is, you make it look perfect!!

Ken

Indiana Ken wrote:Tone

Every time I see pictures of you I cant help thinking how much like Indy you look. You are just one of those people like Ford - it doesnt really matter how accurate your gear is, you make it look perfect!!

Ken

exactly what i think everytime i see Tone... i said that so many times

Akubras are great, I have two AB's as well so I can compare the differences. You CAN make a good Raiders hat out of the Fed, my avatar is a little dark, but you can see the lines, and I have no taper. The secret lies in the bashing, and you do slightly lose the exaggerated camel-humps. Akubras are great, I love em'. Bomb proof, bullet proof and me proof. And that's saying something.

Here's the best pic I could find of the hat, sorry about the grumpy thing it's sitting on.

very raiders look my friend

Every time I see pictures of you I cant help thinking how much like Indy you look.

A bit like Bruce Willis as Indiana Jones.

It's weird, I tried on all my gear just to see how it looks for the party. I love it all but here's the crazy bit, I kinda like my old vintage hat better on me than my new Akubra. I don't know why, the Akubra is sooo dark and I've trimmed the brim on my vintage hat a bit too much but I think it looks perfect for my face. I trimmed my Akubra as well but not as much as the vintage one and I still think it looks too big for my face, I sorta drown under it. I think the color problem will go away once I dust it a bit and lightenen it up a bit. I don't wanna go as a super clean Indy but I'm uncertain how to make the shirt look dirty. I could just take it in the alley and beat it on the ground a few times.

George

I want a wested so bad I nearly bid on the entire outfit on ebay for 500, I just short of stopped myself.

It could be because the vinatge has personality, and that is sometthing indys hat definately had. Illinois